The 5 best places to travel this spring

Spring break may have already come and gone, but that doesn't mean travel has to halt until summer. There are festivals to enjoy and races to cheer on, and those migrating whales up north aren't going to watch themselves.

MILAN, ITALY

Frek58The World Expo, formerly known as the World's Fair, begins in Milan May 1 and runs through October 31. Now is the time to take advantage of amazingly affordable airfares, and Alitalia is offering discounted tickets to Expo events.

Milan is expecting over twenty million visitors for the event, where over 140 countries will present engaging exhibits centered on food concerns. It promises to be an interactive and tasty exploration of how the world eats. Spring also welcomes Milano Moda Design week, from April 13-19, which is bookended by a furniture fair.

PHUKET, THAILAND

Shutterstock Songkran, Thailand's New Year, just got underway, so the entire country is awash in renewal. The New Year, known as the "water festival," is ritually celebrated with the playful tossing of water to signify cleaning.

It coincides with the perfect time of year to grab some sun at the lovely beaches of Phuket before rainy season sets in. Water will figure in everywhere as the Thailand Splash and Spice festival lingers, offering three months of great deals at Phuket's best restaurants and hotels.

Where to Stay: The Aleenta is a blissfully secluded, oceanfront getaway where the design philosophy brings the outdoors inside. The Bandara, which opened in March 2015, is one of Phuket's newest properties.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Shutterstock Whale watching season kicked off on April 1. Though it lasts through October, there's still time before high season hits to spy the humpbacks, orcas, grays, and minkes as they migrate north to Alaska. Another great reason to head to Vancouver now: the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Vancouver will host the gold medal game, along with eight other matches. The largest women's sporting event in the world will be held from June 6 to July 5.

SAPPORO, JAPAN

014 by sii_side CC BY 2.0 You may have missed cherry blossom festival in Kyoto and Tokyo, but way up north in Hokkaido, the lovely pink buds have yet to bloom. Blossoms start opening April 28, and will grace the parks and promenades of Sapporo until about May 8, according to local forecasts.

One of the best spots to enjoy a viewing picnic is Maruyama Park and Shrine, where the path to the shrine is lined with cherry trees. Moerenuma Park also has a grove of cherry trees. Flower fanciers will be happy to know the blooming beauty continues with the Sapporo Lilac Festival in Odori Park, May 20-31. In addition to enjoying Odori Park's 400 lilac trees, there is also a music festival and outdoor tea ceremonies.

Where to Stay: The Cross Hotel includes a stylish onsen that overlooks the city skyline. The Sapporo Prince itself is a city landmark, complete with an open-air hot spring bath.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Jkirsh Break out your fascinators, pull on the white gloves, and mix a pitcher of mint juleps. It's Kentucky Derby time. Twenty horses hit the track at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2 for the 141st running of the big race.

Though the Derby may only last a couple of minutes, a month of events lead up to the big day, with a Beerfest, steamboat races, the nation's biggest fireworks show, and a hot air balloon festival.

Where to Stay: The Galt House is the Derby's official hotel, featuring several packages for the race and race-related events. The popular 21c Museum Hotel doubles as an art gallery.